Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mariana Villegas, Catherine Soos, Gustavo Jimenez-Uzcategui, Shukri Matan, Keith A. Hobson
Summary: The study found that insectivorous and granivorous finches on Santa Cruz Island have higher δ C-13 values, while herbivorous finches have lower values. Segregation among dietary guilds was enhanced by differences in δ H-2 values, providing better trophic discrimination.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maddie E. James, Henry Arenas-Castro, Jeffrey S. Groh, Scott L. Allen, Jan Engelstadter, Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos
Summary: This study reveals multiple origins within ecotypes of an Australian wildflower, Senecio lautos, implying that selection can repeatedly create similar phenotypes despite the low level of gene flow between different environments.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalie R. Hofmeister, Scott J. Werner, Irby J. Lovette
Summary: Genomic research on North American starlings indicates low geographical differentiation and few significant F-ST outliers at a continental scale, despite their high dispersal rate and rapid expansion history. Despite starting from a relatively small founding population, these birds show only moderate genetic bottleneck and a dramatic increase in effective population size since introduction. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms correlated with temperature and/or precipitation suggest rapid local adaptation in North American starlings even in their wide-ranging and evolutionarily young system.
Article
Ecology
Paola L. Carrion, Joost A. M. Raeymaekers, Luis Fernando De Leon, Jaime A. Chaves, Diana M. T. Sharpe, Sarah K. Huber, Anthony Herrel, Bieke Vanhooydonck, Kiyoko M. Gotanda, Jennifer A. H. Koop, Sarah A. Knutie, Dale H. Clayton, Jeffrey Podos, Andrew P. Hendry
Summary: The term terroir refers to the influence of the local site on grape physiology and wine properties. In this study on Darwin's finches in the Galapagos, it was found that the variation in beak and body traits was mostly explained by site. The impact of terroir was found to be stronger in one particular population. These findings highlight the importance of terroir in shaping phenotypic traits, while also emphasizing the role of other factors such as geographical isolation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fushi Ke, Liette Vasseur, Huiqin Yi, Lihua Yang, Xiao Wei, Baosheng Wang, Ming Kang
Summary: The study analyzed 132 genomes from five recently divergent species in Primulina genus, showing that both gene flow and linked selection have contributed to the genome-wide variation landscape. Lineage-specific genomic islands may have facilitated adaptation of certain species to special habitats.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Cerca, Bent Petersen, Jose Miguel Lazaro-Guevara, Angel Rivera-Colon, Siri Birkeland, Joel Vizueta, Siyu Li, Qionghou Li, Joao Loureiro, Chatchai Kosawang, Patricia Jaramillo Diaz, Gonzalo Rivas-Torres, Mario Fernandez-Mazuecos, Pablo Vargas, Ross A. McCauley, Gitte Petersen, Luisa Santos-Bay, Nathan Wales, Julian M. Catchen, Daniel Machado, Michael D. Nowak, Alexander Suh, Neelima R. Sinha, Lene R. Nielsen, Ole Seberg, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, James H. Leebens-Mack, Loren H. Rieseberg, Michael D. Martin
Summary: Many island plant species exhibit a syndrome known as the 'plant island syndrome', which involves distinct phenotypic and life history traits. In this study, the researchers sequenced and analyzed the genome of the critically endangered Galapagos-endemic species Scalesia atractyloides Arnot. They identified the genomic basis of the island syndrome and determined the ancestral genomes and their divergence in this species.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Melina Campos, Mark Hanemaaijer, Hans Gripkey, Travis C. Collier, Yoosook Lee, Anthony J. Cornel, Joao Pinto, Diego Ayala, Herodes Rompao, Gregory C. Lanzaro
Summary: The study conducted whole-genome research on Anopheles coluzzii in west-central Africa and inferred connectivity between mainland and island populations. The findings revealed unique biogeographic histories for each island population and highlighted potential candidate sites for genetic-based malaria control strategies.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vanessa Luzuriaga-Aveiga, Mauricio Ugarte, Jason T. Weir
Summary: In this study, coalescent modelling was used to analyze two weakly diverged species of elevationally replacing Ramphocelus tanagers. The results showed that while the majority of the genome has fused due to high gene flow, select loci associated with plumage color remain divergent, maintaining geographical color differences between the incipient species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ning Sun, Liandong Yang, Fei Tian, Honghui Zeng, Ziwen He, Kai Zhao, Cheng Wang, Minghui Meng, Chenguang Feng, Chengchi Fang, Wenqi Lv, Jing Bo, Yongtao Tang, Xiaoni Gan, Zuogang Peng, Yiyu Chen, Shunping He
Summary: This study examines genome-wide variation in two species of cyprinid fishes in Lake Sunmcuo on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and identifies numerous large genomic islands associated with speciation with gene flow. These islands harbor divergent genes related to olfactory receptors, indicating their potential role in food selection and assortative mating. The findings support the hypothesis of parapatric speciation rather than sympatric speciation.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Pritam Das, V. P. Chandramohan
Summary: A 3D computational model was developed to investigate the influence of chimney divergence angle on the flow and performance characteristics of solar updraft tower plants. Parametric study showed that 2 degrees divergence angle resulted in superior performance to any other angle, with maximum performance achieved at higher solar flux. The net exergy efficiency of the system increased from 0.98% to 19.41% with an increase in solar flux from 600 to 1200 Wm(-2) at 2 degrees divergence angle.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jennifer A. H. Koop, Charlotte E. Causton, Mariana Bulgarella, Elizabeth Cooper, George E. Heimpel
Summary: Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity, especially endemic species on islands. The introduction of the avian parasitic fly, Philornis downsi, in the Galapagos Islands has negatively impacted the survival of endemic bird species. Genetic analyses showed little differentiation between island and mainland populations of P. downsi, indicating high population connectivity. Further research is needed to fully understand the gene flow among island populations and to improve management efforts to control the impact of this parasite.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: The study found a weak signal of population genetic structure between Santa Cruz and Floreana Islands, with some song syllables occurring on both islands but others being unique to each island. Resident males on both islands discriminated their response towards a simulated intruder song based on the geographical origin of the intruder song, but not on the syllable type sung by the intruder. This suggests that the populations are diverging in genetic and cultural traits, with a contemporary behavioural response that could maintain divergence upon secondary contact.
JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madeleine Carruthers, Duncan E. Edgley, Andrew D. Saxon, Nestory P. Gabagambi, Asilatu Shechonge, Eric A. Miska, Richard Durbin, Jon R. Bridle, George F. Turner, Martin J. Genner
Summary: In an African crater lake, the cichlid Astatotilapia calliptera has diverged into shallow-littoral and deep-benthic ecomorphs within the last 1,000 years. Through analysis of transcriptome data, this study reveals that regulatory variants play a crucial role in driving ecologically relevant divergence in gene expression during adaptive diversification.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Luke Ambrose, Daniel Ortiz-Barrientos, Robert D. Cooper, Neil F. Lobo, Thomas R. Burkot, Tanya L. Russell, Nigel W. Beebe
Summary: Anopheles hinesorum is a mosquito species with variable host preference, showing both anthropophagic and zoophagic behaviors in different populations. Recent studies have found divergent mitochondrial lineages in the Solomon Archipelago and suggested the possibility of independent evolution of zoophagy. Additionally, there is evidence of recent migration from New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, potentially introducing anthropophagic traits to the local mosquito population.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Muhammad Salim Hakeemi, Salim Ansari, Matthias Teuscher, Matthias Weisskopf, Daniela Grossmann, Tobias Kessel, Juergen Doenitz, Janna Siemanowski, Xuebin Wan, Dorothea Schultheis, Manfred Frasch, Siegfried Roth, Michael Schoppmeier, Martin Klingler, Gregor Bucher
Summary: By systematically comparing the gene sets required for homologous but divergent developmental processes between fruit flies and beetles, the study found that the differences in these gene sets are greater than previously believed. Therefore, the insights gained from fruit flies may not be as representative for insects or protostomes as previously thought, and further research in complementary model systems is necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding.
Article
Parasitology
Lauren K. Common, Petra Sumasgutner, Shane C. Sumasgutner, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Rachael Y. Dudaniec, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: This study reveals the differences in foraging and mating strategies between male and female avian vampire flies in different seasons and locations, showing a trend of more males near agricultural zones and more females further away. These results are helpful in developing targeted control methods and provide insights into the ecological behavior of this introduced species on the Galapagos Archipelago.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lauren K. Common, Sonia Kleindorfer, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Rachael Y. Dudaniec
Summary: This study used genomic analysis to explore the evolutionary process of the invasive parasite Philornis downsi in the Galapagos Islands. Despite genetic differentiation between different years, there was no evidence of population isolation. The study also found that there were changes in the reproductive behavior of P. downsi compared to a previous study.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Srinivasa Reddy Kunchala, Albert van Dijk, Edwin J. A. Veldhuizen, Stephen C. Donnellan, Henk P. Haagsman, Sandra Orgeig
Summary: The air-liquid interface of the mammalian lung is covered by pulmonary surfactants, while birds possess different genes related to surfactants. This study investigated the evolution of these genes and confirmed the presence of SP-A analogues in zebra finch and turkey. The absence of SP-D-like genes in avian genomes was confirmed, and the SP-A1 and SP-A2 sequences in birds were found to form separate clades closely related to alligators. Birds retain a truncated version of mammalian type SP-A1 and a non-collagenous C-type lectin, while losing the large collagenous SP-D lectin.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrew C. Katsis, Andrew T. D. Bennett, Katherine L. Buchanan, Sonia Kleindorfer, Mylene M. Mariette
Summary: Research shows that songbird embryos exposed to "heat calls" are more likely to prefer non-paternal tutors for vocal learning as adults. This suggests that prenatal sound experiences can indirectly influence songbird preferences. The study also found that prenatal sound experiences can have long-lasting effects on individual song preferences.
Article
Zoology
Stephen J. Richards, Stephen C. Donnellan, Paul M. Oliver
Summary: New Guinea has a diverse frog fauna, with increasing rates of species discovery. Five new species of small treefrogs have been discovered in the high rainfall belt of Papua New Guinea's Central Cordillera. Three of these species are found only in forest growing on karst substrates, and there is also the first report of phytotelm breeding in New Guinean frogs.
Article
Zoology
Stephen J. Richards, Stephen C. Donnellan
Summary: We describe two new species of predominantly green treefrogs from hill forest in Papua New Guinea. The first species is closely related to Litoria iris but differs in certain morphological characteristics. The second species is closely related to Litoria gasconi and can be distinguished by its unique spotting pattern on the ventral surfaces and limbs. These descriptions add to the growing diversity of frogs in hill and lower montane forest in New Guinea.
Article
Zoology
Michael J. Mahony, Terry Bertozzi, Jaro Guzinski, Harry B. Hines, Stephen C. Donnellan
Summary: Mixophyes are large frogs found in eastern Australia and New Guinea, some of which are threatened by the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis. Through molecular genetic assessment, it was discovered that some of these species may have undescribed species due to their widespread distribution and genetic differences from closely related vertebrates. The Stuttering Frog (Mixophyes balbus) was found to have two distinct species based on genetic, morphometric, meristic, and bioacoustic analyses, and a new species was described for populations in New South Wales and Victoria.
Article
Ecology
Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Caglar Akcay, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: Human-altered landscapes may influence the prevalence of specific behaviors and cultural traits in animals. In this study, researchers investigated the differences in songs and aggressiveness in small ground finches along a gradient of human activity levels and contrasting habitats. They found that more common syllable types were prevalent in sites with high human activity and in arid lowland habitats. Small ground finches in areas with higher levels of human activity and in the arid lowlands showed the strongest aggressive response during simulated territorial intrusions. The results suggest that resource distribution and human-impacted environments may select for specific behavioral phenotypes and common cultural traits.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Imogen Z. Sach, Ian Hough, Jarrod C. Hodgson, Christopher B. Daniels, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: We developed a non-invasive methodology to measure heart rate in koalas using a Fitbit and investigated their responses to drones. Koalas showed a short-term increase in vigilance, but no change in heart rate or breathing rate when a drone flew above them. Our findings suggest that drones may not have long-term detrimental effects on koalas.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Andrew C. Katsis, Lauren K. Common, Mark E. Hauber, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: This study found that personality traits may not become fixed until adulthood in superb fairy-wrens, suggesting that they remain relatively flexible during earlier life stages.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Didone Frigerio, Alena G. Hohl, Verena Puehringer-Sturmayr, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: This study investigates the changes in attitudes and intended behaviors towards the plight of woodland songbirds before and after participating in science activities and direct interaction with scientists. The results indicate that nature-based experiences can increase awareness and involvement in bird conservation.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taylor Headland, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Corey T. Callaghan, Shane C. Sumasgutner, Sonia Kleindorfer, Petra Sumasgutner
Summary: Urbanisation has negative impacts on biodiversity, but the species-specific responses of wildlife to urbanisation are poorly understood in the Southern Hemisphere. This study used eBird data to assess the urban tolerance of 24 Australian raptor species and found that smaller raptors had greater urban tolerance than larger ones. Out of the species analysed, 13 showed tolerance profiles for urban environments, while 11 showed avoidance profiles. These findings highlight the need to conserve native habitat and improve urban conditions for larger-bodied raptor species in order to protect Australian raptor diversity in an increasingly urbanised world.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Sonia Kleindorfer, Benedikt Heger, Damian Tohl, Didone Frigerio, Josef Hemetsberger, Leonida Fusani, W. Tecumseh Fitch, Diane Colombelli-Negrel
Summary: The facial features of Greylag Geese can be used to recognize individual identities, and they show a stronger affiliative response to the faces of their partners, indicating that geese can use facial cues to determine individual recognition and social relationships.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Antonia C. C. Huge, Nicolas M. M. Adreani, Diane Colombelli-Negrel, Caglar Akcay, Lauren K. K. Common, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: Nesting success increases with age in birds, as older individuals select more concealed nest sites and experience less predation. Greater plant diversity is associated with higher biodiversity, and older Darwin's finch males nest in areas with more vegetation cover and more avian species diversity. These findings suggest that older males may outcompete younger males for preferred nest sites, creating higher local biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alivereti N. Naikatini, Gunnar Keppel, Gilianne Brodie, Sonia Kleindorfer
Summary: This study compared avian diversity and abundance between forest and grassland sites in Fiji and found significant differences between the two habitats. There were also differences in foraging guild composition and distribution status between forested and grassland habitats.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)